The bare essentials of Reiki

By Wendy Underhill

Did you know that “Reiki” is a verb? Heck, did you know that Reiki (ray-key) is a word at all? Those who keep their eye on alternative healing techniques probably are familiar with the noun, if not the verb, but the rest of the population may never have heard of this form of energy work at all.

As with most methods of connecting energy to the body, it’s hard to describe exactly how Reiki works. So, recognizing the feeble nature of words, I’ll offer this explanation: Reiki is a hands-on method of directing “life force energy,” which is found in every living molecule, to a given recipient for the purpose of healing.

But there are lots of “buts” lurking in that definition—I’ve said it’s hands-on, but it can be done without touching, and instead merely placing the hands just above the body. It can be done long distance, too. And while I described it as working on a body, that means the whole person, not just the physical self. And Reiki also works on animals, plants and overall situations (think of September 11, for instance). While the energy is directed toward a given recipient, that recipient also has to be willing to receive it or otherwise it’s a neutral experience. And, yes, Reiki is used for healing, but in some cases, such as end of life, it may be used to smooth the passage toward death rather than to cure the body.

The biggest “but” of all might be that Reiki can be done without Reiki training, in a sense. Healing touch has been witnessed throughout history and across cultures and religions, long before the idea of Reiki existed. Practitioners would simply say that the Reiki training makes healing touch more accessible to more people, giving them an ever-ready energy that can be used anytime, anyplace and without any negative results. (No buts about that.)

According to lore, the Reiki method of accessing life force energy came in a bolt of light to its first practitioner, Dr. Mikao Usui, as he was completing a 21-day fast on a Japanese hilltop about a century ago. Prior to his fast, Dr. Usui had followed a lengthy and circuitous path trying to find an answer to a question posed to him by students in a Japanese Christian school: how could they learn to heal as Jesus did? After the light hit him, Dr. Usui was so excited he ran down the hill, stumbled, and stubbed his toe. By pressing on the wound he was able to heal himself, and he knew he had his answer. Reiki is rooted, then, in a spiritual search. But, it is not a religion nor part of any spiritual tradition. Christians, Wiccans, Buddhists and everyone else are all welcome to dip into the fountain of Reiki.

Reiki might be considered a “brand name” for one way to access energy. Others might access that same universal force, but say that they are offering a blessing or a prayer, or that they’re using Therapeutic Touch, a technique that is taught in nursing schools that uses hands hovering just above a body. (Therapeutic Touch once worked a minor miracle for me; some years ago, about five minutes of treatment completely removed an entrenched migraine.)

In the same modest way, a Reiki practitioner (one who has learned the basics of Reiki) or a Reiki Master (one who has completed the training) is likely to deny doing any healing, and say that it is the recipient’s “higher self” that decides what to do with the energy offered. Speaking figuratively, Reiki is like a rope—the practitioner can make it available, but can’t push it; the recipient has to pull it.

This form of energy work can do no harm (it involves no needles, drugs, manipulations, or cultism), and has produced good results, even miracles. In my short study of it, I heard about arthritis and multiple sclerosis being cured. Not everyone will have amazing stories to tell, but if nothing else, a Reiki session is likely to be relaxing and feel satisfying.

In searching about, I’ve found that Reiki is often used in conjunction with other modalities—as an add-on to acupuncture, massage therapy, or other body work—or with metaphysical fields such as crystology or Tarot readings. It’s offered at Longmont United Hospital, for instance, through its Health Center for Integrated Therapies, where it can make a massage a multi-dimensional experience, says one therapist.

To write this story, I sought out first-hand experience with Reiki. I found myself being “Reiki’d” by seven Reiki masters at once in what’s called a “Reiki Circle.” The experience wasn’t far outside my comfort zone, I’m glad to report. I lay face upward on a massage table, pleasingly supported with bolsters and pillows. The seven masters arrayed themselves around the table.

The session began with one person asking me if I had an intention I’d like to state. “A what?” I asked. He gave me some examples: would I like to focus on some physical condition, or on a relationship, or a desire? I chose to focus on being perennially behind schedule.

Then, I closed my eyes, and they each slowly touched me. They didn’t stroke, poke, massage, or otherwise

manipulate my body; they simply rested their hands on me, moving their hands to a new position every three or four minutes, apparently drawn to where the energy flowed the strongest. Occasionally I peeked; they didn’t appear to be communicating with each other but were simply present with their hands. I felt some tingles, especially at the beginning and the end.

Fifteen minutes later, the session ended by the group wafting their hands just above my body, as if pushing smoke from my head past my toes. I sat up, and said the only appropriate thing in such a circumstance: “Thank you.” (As for my session’s efficacy, I enjoyed it but am still way behind on everything. Maybe it takes more time, or maybe my inner self wasn’t in accord on what the intention should have been.)

What to know if you want to try Reiki

Choosing a Reiki practitioner is a bit of a trick. You’ll find people at all levels of training, and the training can be lengthy or quite brief—little more than a weekend workshop. Each level includes an “attunement,” when the Reiki master or teacher passes on to the student the symbols that were first seen by Dr. Usui. They’re not magic, just an assist to make it easier to bring the energy that’s all around us down to a manageable unit. At the end of Level III, the student will have been initiated into all the symbols, become a Reiki master, and is ready to train and attune others.

The short courses might work for people with a background in metaphysics or healing arts, who are already aware of energy beyond that which comes out of an electrical socket. But—another but—it seems premature to call someone with a weekend’s worth of exposure a master of anything.

Other people take their time, and do many, many sessions between levels, so that they can integrate their experiences and knowledge. But you may not know any of this as you look for a Reiki practitioner or Reiki master. So, caveat emptor. Talk to the person and decide for yourself if he or she will be a good fit.

For a private session, expect to spend 60 to 90 minutes, and $35 to $100. Some students are happy to offer Reiki without charge, but soon find that people don’t value a “free” treatment in the same way they value a service for a fee.

Unlike some modalities, where you’ll know you’re in for a course of treatment of some approximate length, with Reiki it’s completely uncertain how many times a client “should” come in. The answer might be “as often as possible,” because who can’t use a bit of personal attention? In this context it would be rather like massage, beneficial on a regular basis if you can afford it. Another answer might be, “when there’s a question or concern at hand.” Some people might go just once and be lucky enough to get what they seek, be it a health improvement or an assist with a lifestyle change. It’s up to you.

In times past, there was a certain clubbiness to Reiki; in the early years in Japan, a student would work for a master for six months or so before becoming a Reiki master with the final attunement. When the practice moved to Hawaii and on to the rest of the United States, students paid around $10,000. No surprise that it grew slowly!

These days, and especially with the publication in 1995 of the book, Essential Reiki, by Diane Stein, Reiki is being shared if not for free, at least at workshop prices. The idea for at least some Reiki teachers is that with the world in such trouble, the more people who become aware of this technique, the better; what the world needs now is healing, simply healing, and Reiki is their contribution.

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